{{$store.state.data.search.serverData.config.placeholder}}

{{ vm.heading }}

{{ vm.closeTabLabel }}

Notice of updates
!

Since the last time you logged in our privacy statement has been updated. We want to ensure that you are kept up to date with any changes and as such would ask that you take a moment to review the changes. You will not continue to receive KPMG subscriptions until you accept the changes.

Hi
!

Our privacy policy has been updated since the last time you logged in

We want to make sure you're kept up to date. Please take a moment to review these changes. You will not receive KPMG subscription messages until you agree to the new policy.

Also on KPMG.com

“The challenge for non-banks is to build the kind of trust that convinces consumers and regulators that heavy restrictions are unnecessary,” says Giles Willams.

As alternative banks grow in size and importance, can they win customer trust without the need for tougher bank regulation, which could also stifle financial services innovation and competition?

Arrival of non-banks increases banking competition

The emergence of new, alternative banks and fintechs in banking is gathering pace. Since the global financial crisis, increasingly tough capital requirements are forcing banks to take fewer risks and scale back their lending, opening the door to fresh competitors and non-banks, many of whom have enjoyed relatively light touch financial services regulation. Once new entrants reach a critical mass, however, and become designated as “systemically important financial institutions,” their activities will be under far greater scrutiny from consumers, the media, government and financial regulators.

If such reassurance cannot be found, there is a strong temptation to deliver the same strict levels of regulation that apply to banks, which could ultimately deter banking competition and diversity. The challenge facing non-banks, as well as alternative banks, is to build the kind of trust that convinces consumers and, more importantly, regulators, that heavy restrictions are unnecessary. In an age where the smallest error or incident goes viral over social media within minutes, this is no easy task.

Alternative banks innovation

From mobile payments to crowdfunding

We are becoming accustomed to new ways of making payments, with numerous peer-to-peer mechanisms surfacing, yet few countries have created regulatory frameworks. For example, in many mature markets, mobile payments are still in their infancy and regulators are adopting a ‘wait and see’ position. In the developing world, however, the concept is taking off much faster, most notably in Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Kenya’s M-Pesa system, run by the country’s largest mobile phone operator, Safaricom (part of the Vodafone group), is an interesting example. M-Pesa is now a part of daily life for Kenyans, with services including money deposit and withdrawal, remittance delivery, bill payment and microcredit.

Despite occasional glitches, where the system comes down, Kenyan citizens and businesses continue to use M-Pesa. Although not a fully-regulated financial institution, M-Pesa has always sought to behave like one, by meeting the same levels of reporting, anti-money laundering, information technology (IT) security and know your customer (KYC) processes. Crucially, Safaricom’s management has engaged closely with Kenyan regulators from the outset, to provide necessary assurance.

In virtually every country, existing mobile payments providers are not categorised as banks, so are not obliged to hold capital. As these payments innovations start to take up a greater share of the wallet and include larger value transactions, the potential for losing significant sums of money rises, which will almost certainly arouse the interest of regulators.

Governments will likely also soon consider new regulatory frameworks for emerging alternative lending activities, such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending, as well as greater oversight of online and branch-based alternative banks that are launching in many markets.

Financial services regulation versus banking innovation

In spite of financial crises, a widening choice of banking options and a new generation of consumers raised on online commerce, a substantial proportion of consumers remain loyal to banks. The added security of higher capital levels and tighter risk management processes may have soothed the nerves of customers and people are still wary of putting their money into alternative institutions.

While few doubt that additional regulation was necessary to curb the worst excesses of recent years, some question whether such regulation places a stranglehold on banking innovation? The decision by GE to sell much of its hugely profitable GE Capital financial services arm highlights the dilemma facing non-banks or any new entrant to the arena. As bank regulations get stricter, other, similar companies might follow suit, which could reduce the flow of credit.

If the systemically important financial institutions (SIFI) regulatory bar is set too high, it could deter new businesses from entering banking, thus preserving the status quo and creating a two-tier system of established banks and (relatively) unregulated peer-to-peer lending. Regulators, therefore, must consider how to temper the worst excesses of recent years, while leaving growing room for new banking competitors.

New entrants, on the other hand, could do worse than to adhere to the time-honoured principles of banking:

secure deposits

fast, safe payment systems

prudent lending that borrowers can repay

transparent savings and investment products.

If new disruptors can meet these demands, while providing innovative services and can win – and maintain – a high level of trust and consumer confidence, they may be able to thrive without such a heavy regulatory hand.

KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”) is a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm.